Fun Facts Friday ~ Freaky Fruits

Apples, oranges, grapes and pears, these are all familiar fruits but did you know there's a fruit that has horns? Or one that is bright pink and has green scales like a dragon? How about a fruit that is considered the "King" and smells so bad it has actually been banned in some restaurants? Check out these freaky fruits and decide if you're brave enough to take a bite.

Blow a Horn for the Blowfish Fruit

This yellow-orange fruit is in the melon family and is called many names; horned melon, African horned cucumber, jelly melon and the blowfish fruit. It originated in Africa but can now be found in speciality markets around the world. It has a center like lime green Jello that is tart in taste and cucumber-like in texture. Even though the skin may be eaten (and is high in vitamin C and fiber), most people just suck out the pulpy center, and spit out the seeds.

Grab a spoon and find is you're brave enough to try the horned melon.

A Fire-Breathing Fruit?

Not quite, but it does have green scales. The dragon fruit is bright pink and has the yummy taste of a pear and crunchy seeds like a kiwi. It's high in fiber and vitamin C and easy to eat - just chop it in half and scoop out the white fleshy center.

The dragon fruit blooms on a cactus that grows like a vine and is native to Central and South America. The flower on which the fruit will eventually grow is only open for one night to be pollinated!

Would you try this pink delight?

The King of All Fruits

It may be the "king" but it's a big, spiky, STINKY king!

The Durian fruit is very large. In fact, it can grow from 30 cm (12 inches) long and 15 cm (6 in) in diameter and typically weighs from 1-3 kilograms (2-7 pounds). It can be round or oval and the skin is green to brown with tough spikes growing from it. The smell has been described as rotten onions, almonds, turpentine and even old gym socks. However, if you can get past it's odour it has an intensely sweet flavour.

The Durian fruit has been around for 600 years and is native to Malaysia and Indonesia.

Are you brave enough for the King of Fruits?

For more information on freaky fruits visit the library, internet or your local market.

Do you want to read more great articles and fun stories?  Check out knowonder magazine at; http://www.knowonder.com